The Rugby World Cup starts on September 8 when host nation France take on New Zealand, in a match set to kick-start a thrilling competition. An unbalanced draw sets up intrigue where sides other than the favourites of Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa could go further into the tournament than expected.
It will be the first time that the tournament returns to a nation that has been a previous sole host, after the edition was also held in France.
Chile make their tournament debut after beating Canada and the USA in Americas qualifying, while Portugal are set to return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years. Back rower Sam Cane will captain New Zealand, while prop Joe Moody was not selected despite being a starter at the and tournaments, having struggled with an ankle injury in the last few months. France have included injured prop Cyril Baille and flanker Anthony Jelonch in their man squad, while young back Louis Bielle-Biarrey also gets the nod ahead of Ethan Dumortier, a regular Six Nations starter.
Michele Lamaro will lead a talented squad that includes four scrum halves. Ivan Nemer is included despite serving a lengthy ban earlier this year for gifting Black teammate Cherif Traore a rotten banana. Star scrum half Santiago Arata has overcome a hand injury to be named in the man Uruguay squad chosen by head coach Esteban Meneses. Veteran lock Diego Magno does not make the squad, but second row Manuel Leindekar enjoyed a solid season with Bayonne and back rower Manuel Ardao is a real talent.
Namibia will add two more players to their squad before the World Cup begins. Former Australia international Richard Hardwick, born in Windhoek, should add quality to the back row, while the big booted Tiaan Swanepoel is likely to be a key figure at fly half. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been included in the squad but other key players are left out because of injury, including influential fly-half Handre Pollard, World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am and giant lock Lood de Jager, while hooker Joseph Dweba and prop Thomas du Toit missed the cut for selection purposes.
